Welcome to 2015 NAMI Walk Johnson County Get involved with helping us meet our goals for next year–raising awareness, reducing the stigma of mental illness, and raising money for all our programs and projects. Either sign up now to walk on someone’s team or organize your own WALK team! Location: Terry Trueblood Recreational Area, 4213 SE Sand […]

We are dedicated to building and operating a home-like residential facility for adults receiving hospice services and needing 24-hour care assistance. This is needed in Johnson County. Won’t you help us?

Gay and Ciha Funeral home takes you into their home. With passion and patience every aspect of arranging, preparing is all taken care of by them. When you walk in the door you are greeted with a sincere kindness. Life can go by so fast sometimes. It is such a blessing to have them be a part of […]

Iowa City/Coralville Support Groups Bereavement Support Following a patient’s death, Iowa City Hospice bereavement staff is available to support surviving family members and friends throughout the grieving process. Iowa City Hospice bereavement support services are also available to individuals throughout our service area (Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Linn, Louisa, Muscatine and Washington counties) who are grieving […]

Our funeral home has always believed that everyone deserves to be cared for in a respectful and loving manner, whether the death is of an elderly person who has enjoyed many years of life or it’s that infant child that never took a breath in this world. We have for many years provided services to […]

by Louanne Stanton Recently, I have encountered two families that have experienced the loss of a close family member. The circumstances of each death were unique, yet the two families shared in common a great depth of grief. In each situation, I was keenly aware of the need to just listen to them. When a […]

We are proud to be listed as a voluntary participant in aGreenerFuneral.org. We have demonstrated a commitment to greener funeral care by offering families a selection of meaningful, environmentally-sustainable services and products. We encourage you to discuss with us your specific requirements (preferably in advance of need) so we can help you create the most […]

Proud to be different

For us it’s not about selling, a casket or an urn. It is about the life that you wish to remember.We invite you to compare the differences between funeral homes and see for yourself what so many families have discovered. We have a tradition of service that is...
Uniquely Caring.

What to do when death occurs…

Don’t know what to do first? Let us help. When a death occurs, emotions often override clear thought. In an effort to assist you, we have provided a list of some of the important information needed when making the arrangements. You will find it helpful to review this information prior to meeting with one of […]

Funeral & Cremation

The funeral gives us permission to grieve and help us appreciate the connections our loved one had established with others. Funeral visitations provide a chance to talk and share stories and memories. We gather with family and friends and say, “This life was important, this life touched mine.” Planning a funeral can be a stressful […]

Why choose Gay & Ciha?

What does it mean to be uniquely caring? It’s more than a job. It’s more than another funeral. It really is every family. That person who died is a life. To me we should remember the life of that individual in a unique way. We pride ourselves about thinking every service is unique and those […]

Current Funeral Services

Roy Lee Yelder

Roy Lee Yelder, 63 longtime Iowa City area businessman died this past week in his home. A time for family and friends to share Roy’s life will be held from 4 to 7 pm Tuesday, March 31, 2015, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service. Funeral services will then be held at 10 am Saturday, April 4, 2015, at the Arrington Funeral Home in Birmingham, Alabama, with burial to follow at the Zion Rest Cemetery in Forest Home, Alabama. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @http://hosting-3320.tributes.com/obituary/show/Roy-Lee-Yelder-102327628

BrandonJ. Hamilton

BrandonJ. Hamilton, 32, of Iowa City, died peacefully Monday, March 30, 2015, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following a courageous battle with his illness. A time to celebrate and reflect on Brandon’s life will be held from 5 to 8 pm Thursday, April 2, 2015, at the Moose Lodge #1096 on Highway 6 East, Iowa City. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in his memory. Online condolences may be left for his family through the funeral home website @ http://hosting-3320.tributes.com/obituary/show/Brandon-J.-Hamilton-102334918

MinaEmde

MinaEmde, a long-time Iowa City resident, passed away in Fresno California on November 26, 2014, after an extended illness. A celebration of life will be held from 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ http://hosting-3320.tributes.com/obituary/show/Mina-L.-Emde-101930781

Frederick “Fred” Paul Heston

Frederick “Fred” Paul Heston, 76, of Cape Coral, Florida died Wednesday February 4th, 2015 while at Cape Coral Hope Hospice. A memorial service celebrating Fred’s life will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, May 30th at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City. Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web @ http://hosting-3320.tributes.com/obituary/show/Frederick-P.-Heston-102182805

Question: We have only one cemetery space available, but two of us wish to be buried there. What can we do? Answer: Many cemeteries allow more than once person’s cremated remains to be buried on a single cemetery space. Some also allow for those cremated remains to be buried in the space with a […]

Question: My friend’s father recently died, he wanted to be cremated at the time of his death. The funeral director asked his family for clothing, why would they need clothing? Answer: Often times, family will see their loved ones before the cremation process takes place, out of respect we encourage families to bring clothing […]

Question: After a death, who takes care of notifying Social Security, the Veterans Administration, insurance companies, the attorney, etc.? Answer: One of the many services that we provide to families is to assist them in the filing and notification process for the business affairs of the deceased. Although this may seem overwhelming to the family, […]

Question: I’m confused. Do you help families with pre-planning? Answer: Yes, we do. In fact one of our funeral directors will sit down with families when they want to talk about their wishes, explaining the many options and facts about funeral services for the future. Please feel free to call 319-338-1132 or stop in to […]

Question: Does the Catholic Church forbid cremation at the time of a death? Answer: No it does not. In years past, as it was throughout this country, the practice of cremation was not generally regarded as a choice at the time of a death. In our society today this has changed, along with the many […]

Question: After my mother died, we had all her pairs of old glasses she had worn throughout her lifetime. What can we do with them now? Answer: Many families allow us to donate these glasses to the Iowa Lions Eye Bank, who in turn give them to those in need of glasses in our country […]

Yes, women can be. Grandchildren can be. Anyone you designate can be a casket bearer. What’s cool is it involves the family. Even though it’s very difficult emotionally for people to carry their grandpa or their father, or whomever, to the grave it’s also something they can do that nobody else can do for them. […]

When I see a funeral procession coming down the road, while I’m driving, should I pull over to the side of the road? Yes, out of respect for the person who has died and also for their family, pull over. It means a lot to them to know that the community cares enough to stop […]

Why am I receiving postcards in the mail and solicitations to make funeral arrangements from funeral homes that I am not familiar with? Some funeral homes have prearranged funeral counselors on staff. It is their job to go out and contact people through mail, telephone or in person and solicit future business. Some funeral homes […]

Question: Has it ever happened that you’ve had to reschedule a funeral due to weather? In light of today’s snow storm everyone thinks of school getting cancelled and I wondered if it ever affected planned funerals. Answer: I have. Five times in my 32 years as a licensed funeral director. It has to be really, […]